Williamsburg

Williamsburg hotspot is home to world’s largest ‘Drag Race’ watch party

See a slideshow from the night: Contestants Suzie Toot, Onya Nurve and Plasma perform at Arlo

January 21, 2025 Mandie-Beth Chau
"RuPaul's Drag Race" season 17 contestants Suzie Toot and Onya Nurve visit Williamsburg. Photo by Mandie-Beth Chau
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“RuPaul’s Drag Race” first aired in 2009, testing a group of drag queens’ charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent through competitions such as themed runways, lip sync performances, design challenges and talent shows. On Friday, Jan. 3, the show premiered its 17th season.

The Werk Room in Williamsburg is the biggest watch party in the world, gathering an average of 400 attendees and up to 2,000 partygoers, according to organizer and DJ Luis Fernando. Hosted by local queens Essa Noche and Janelle No 5, the party brings queens from the show to “spill the tea” during commercial breaks, followed by live performances. 

At the episode three watch party on Friday, Jan. 17, season 17’s Suzie Toot and Onya Nurve and season 16’s Plasma joined the party. 

“It’s cool because we watched the viewing parties at home. For season 16, I was at the bars every single week watching it, so to be performing [on the show] instead was wild,” said Toot, originally from Fort Lauderdale. 

Nurve, from Cleveland, Ohio, said the Werk Room was her first viewing party outside her hometown. “I love New York. Every time I come here, I’m like, ‘I should live here,’” said Nurve. “Who doesn’t love New York? It’s so much fun.”

Read the full story and see photos from the event here.

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